What made Drelinger want to design a vertical
headjoint?Drelinger Headjoint Company is
continually working to develop new and innovative
headjoints. We originally began work on the UpRite®
for those having physical issues playing the transverse
flute. As it turned out the UpRite not only heartily
met this goal, but also filled other niches making
it the flute of choice for many playing situations.

After
many years of playing, I now have physical pain associated
with holding my flute. I do not know if it is severe
enough to consider playing vertically.We almost always see a
better outcome with those who become immediately proactive
after first experiencing this type of physical pain,
as compared to those who put off doing anything until
playing becomes unbearable.

In
addition to SIT,™ does Drelinger make custom accessories?Yes.
For most people the SIT™ accessories are all
that is needed to realize the full potential of
the UpRite. However, from time to time we make custom
engineered accessories for those with special requirements.

Does
the UpRite sound the same to the listener as the
transverse flute?Yes, as beautifully demonstrated
on HomecookedCD.com.

Does
the UpRite sound the same to the player as the transverse
flute?Yes, after a few minutes. Players
are conditioned to compensate perceptually for the
way the transverse flute radiates sound. It’s for
this reason that when played for the very first
time the UpRite’s balanced sound can be startling.
Thereafter it sounds normal to the player.

Transverse flute radiates so that
more sound reaches the player's right ear.

UpRite radiates sound in perfect balance so the
player hears it equally in both ears.

How easy is it to play vertically?From
our experience many will spontaneously master the
virtues of the UpRite, while others will require
time. We know that for most, playing flute vertically
is physically less stressful and more natural than
playing transverse. Letting go of the physical compensation
required for the transverse flute may be the key
to fully appreciating the comfort of the UpRite.